Evaluation Of The Effect Of Globalization On Culture And Identity (A Case Study Of Nigerian Youths)

Project and Seminar Material for Sociology

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background Of The Study

Culture has been described as the mental conditioning that separates members of one human society from those of another.the collection of ideas and habits that members of a society acquire, exchange, and transmit from generation to generation; the way of life of members of a society, the collection of ideas and habits that they learn, share, and transmit from generation to generation (Edewor 2003:195)awareness, ideology, art, morality, law, tradition, and all other skills and habits acquired by man as a member of society; and the collection of tangible and intangible elements—things like food, equipment, technology, language, and values—that shapes and gives sense to the daily lives of a particular community of people (Kanagy and Kraybill 1999). Community is made up of the ideals that members of a society possess, the norms that they obey, and the material products that they provide. It applies to the individual members of a society’s way of life, including how they dress, religious rituals, and recreational pursuits (Oni 2005:9-7).Culture is significant to people for a variety of reasons. For starters, it is regarded as determining people’s identities, leading to the assertion that a people without culture is a people without nationality. Culture tends to differentiate between or among cultures in various groups or populations by identifying their identity. “To be stripped from one’s community is to be robbed of one’s identity,” Adedimeji (2006:10) concludes. To lose one’s name is to be blown around like a leaf separated from its tree in the wind.” Second, culture is thought to be critical in ensuring a community’s survival and growth.

One thing to keep in mind about the essence of culture is that it is complex and therefore subject to transition. Since culture develops as a result of people’s attempts to adapt to their surroundings, it’s natural to think that as the world shifts, culture will shift as well. According to Nwaegbu et al. (2011), the trend of spreading culture has been ongoing for several decades. In this case, expansion means transition. Furthermore, culture is a cultural trait, and as human spirits adapt, so do their perceptions of their world and of right and wrong, which are reflected in shifts in their culture. An aspect of the nature of culture that is hotly debated is that of the equality or otherwise of culture.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

People often use it. Globalization refers to the growing relationship of national economies with those of the First World, with the end goal of achieving frictionless capitalism. Orunmoluyi (2002) defines it as a method of establishing a free economy in which all nations are gradually compelled to participate. Globalisation includes the interconnection of sovereign nations by exchange and capital transfers, the harmonization of economic laws that regulate these sovereign nations’ relationships, the creation of institutions to promote and encourage interdependence, and the establishment of a global market place.From a cultural standpoint, globalization, according to David (2002), is the process of harmonizing various cultures and values. Globalization, according to Castells (1997), is the method of eroding cultural distinctions and creating a unified global structure of cultural and economic values. According to Awake (2002), harmonization has been accomplished as a result of advancements in communication, and countries are gradually being forced to join. As a result, globalization can be thought of as a method of integrating autonomous markets into a global marketplace. To put it another way, it’s the systemic convergence of decentralized economies into a national development and delivery structure. As a result, the age of sovereign nation-states is said to be coming to an end if the globalization process is allowed to run its course. Our traditional conceptions of print and electronic media have been fully changed by new technology, which is based on computers and satellite networking. In the multimedia realm of cyber space, books, newspapers, radio, television, and film shows are now being digitized and made available to all in the world, regardless of where they live. The continued global expansion of internet access is being matched by an equally noticeable increase in its usage by racial ideological and national communities seeking to claim their cultural identities (Obiora; 2002). Corbit(1996) observes that business society is said to dominate the country as a result of trade agreements and telecommunications liberalization. According to Jean (2002), globalization has allowed the entire planet to be wired and tuned into advanced countries’ television programs, movies, news, music, lifestyles, and entertainment. Satellites, wires, tablets, walkmans, V.C.Ds, D.V.Ds, and retail grants, as well as other marvels of entertainment technologies, are all part of the mass marketing mix. Globalization has had a huge and varied influence on society. It has influenced people’s cultural aspects in various ways. For example, the popular Coca-Cola drinks’ noisy echoing advertisement rhythms can be heard around borders in towns, villages, and even remote rural areas where drinking water is scarce. As a result, according to Duru-Ford (2002), people have had to adapt their lifestyles as a result of globalization’s impact.

1.3 Objective Of The Study

To determine if globalization have affected the decisions of the youths.
To assess if Nigerian youth have abandoned their culture in place of globalization.

1.4 Research Hypotheses

Globalization has no major impact on the decisions of youths.
Globalization has caused the abandonment of culture among youths in Nigeria.

1.5 Significance Of The Study

The present study is important because it will assist youths who have drifted away from community in regaining their footing., Students and researchers who wish to do similar analysis will benefit from this research work.

1.6 Scope Of The Study

The scope of the study is to evaluate the effect of globalization on Culture and Identity among Nigeria youths the study focus onyouths in Ahodah, Port Harcourt state.

1.7 Limitation Of Study

Given the lack of funds, testing materials, and time constraints, the study’s focus was limited.

1.8 Definition Of Terms

Globalization:

Globalization is the process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide.

Culture:

A community is a way of life for a community of people—the attitudes, opinions, ideals, and images that they embrace without question and pass on from generation to generation through association and imitation. Culture is a means of communicating by symbols.

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